Baxter & Baxter, LLP

Micron Technology Announces New Chief

blogger — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 07:23:05 +0000

Micron Technology announced Mark Durcan had been appointed chief executive replacing Steven Appleton, who was killed Friday when the small plane he was piloting crashed. Continue reading →

Dow at Highest Since May 2008

blogger — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 07:22:16 +0000

The blue-chip stock index rose 156.82 points to its highest level since May 2008, as better economic news encouraged investors. The Nasdaq hit its highest close since December 2000. Continue reading →

Move Over, Iowa, Nevada Has A Caucus Problem Too

blogger — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 07:00:00 +0000

Some highly improbable events lately have embarrassed the host states in the presidential nominating process, including Nevada, which held its caucus Saturday night.

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Greece Weighs Cuts Amid Bailout Talks

blogger — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 06:06:44 +0000

Greece edged toward a deal on a second billion bailout package, as political leaders were set to meet Sunday to weigh critical spending cuts. Continue reading →

Ouch! $765 just to get a Band-Aid?

blogger — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 06:05:00 +0000

Charges racked up quick after a senior citizen sought basic help from an ambulance crew last summer

Photo courtesy of Fred StovelFred Stovel's 92-year-old mother-in-law asked an ambulance from Tillamook County General Hospital for a Band-Aid last summer after a scratch wouldn't stop bleeding at last summer's Fourth of July parade in Manzanita.

A fellow parade-goer bumped into Fred Stovel's 92-year-old mother-in-law at Manzanita's Fourth of July party last summer, leaving a scratch that just wouldn't stop bleeding.

Stovel asked about a Band-Aid as the beach town's volunteer fire squad marched by, and the crew directed him to the Tillamook County General Hospital ambulance parked at their station.

"We walked over and as they offered help, my mother-in-law was clear: 'I don't want anything that's going to cost money,'ã said Stovel, adding that they were careful to not go inside the ambulance for fear of incurring a charge. The medics, employed by the hospital, "didn't say it would be on the house or anything, but they said, 'Don't worry about it.'"

So Stovel's mother-in-law eased onto the edge of the rig's doorway as EMTs checked her vital signs, cleaned the wound and applied a bandage to her leg.

In November, a bill for $765 arrived.

Just as you'd expect a bandage to smart a bit when it's ripped off, it's safe to figure you'll pay for anything that comes out of the shiny white doors of an ambulance. That's especially true in remote areas, where insurance and health care experts say it's expensive to keep highly trained ambulance crews on hand for events such as a coastal parade.

In his understandable I'm-not-going-to-pay-$765-for-a-bandage ire, Stovel spoke with the hospital several times about the issue and said he was told its representatives would look into his complaint. Meantime, Medicare and the family's insurance company denied the claims. Both groups typically cover such bills if patients are actually driven to the hospital in an ambulance, hospital and insurance specialists said.

But when potential patients refuse to be transported, they're often on the hook for all charges.

Three bills and two months later, Stovel said last week that all he'd heard from the hospital was a potential 10 percent discount off the bill. Frustrated, he called The Desk, which charges nothing for a little help -- or a Band-Aid for that matter.

The Desk called the Adventist Health-owned hospital and talked to Gina Seufert, a patient representative. She said that although the Stovels may have gotten the idea the help from the EMTs was free, that message probably didn't come from one of the hospital's employees.

"These were legitimate services and they were billed appropriately," Seufert said. "We wouldn't charge $765 for the application of a Band-Aid, I can guarantee that."

When potential patients seek help from an ambulance, she said, there are typically additional services provided even if someone refuses to be rolled on to the hospital. Medics check vital signs to be sure that an injury or fall wasn't the result of something else, say a heart issue or stroke.

"We do all that treatment, offering to clean wounds, apply dressings, all those different things," she said. "It's a full range of services, not the single application of a Band-Aid."

Seufert recommends that if people need help, but it's not an emergency, they should have a careful conversation with ambulance medics, not police or other on-site responders. Ask what services might cost and whether a private company or a hospital owns the ambulance. When problems arise, ask for an itemized bill and seek out such "patient representatives" at the hospital.

Seufert said the hospital already had decided to toss out Stovel's bill, but that sometimes those decisions just take some time.

Stovel's happy and plans to sign up for a $60-a-year membership program through Tillamook General that ensures ambulance visit to his house will be covered, even if no one decides to head to the hospital. And yes, he made sure his mother-in-law will be covered.

Nice, yet the Good Doctor Desk recommends first checking out any insurance-like programs through the Oregon Insurance Commission (1-888-877-4894).

-- Laura Gunderson

Jobs Data Show Growth Is Sustained

blogger — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 01:19:29 +0000

The U.S. economy added more jobs in January than in any month since early last year, pushing down the jobless rate to a level not seen since Obama's first full month in office. Continue reading →

Another Win: Romney Adds Nevada To His Victories

blogger — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 00:45:00 +0000

All caucus sites have now closed in Nevada, and based on actual vote returns NPR says Mitt Romney is the winner, followed by Newt Gingrich in second place followed by Ron Paul and Rick Santorum. This is Romney's second straight triumph over a field of rivals suddenly struggling to keep pace.

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Bankruptcy Attorney Vancouver WA

admin — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 00:40:37 +0000

http://www.articlebanker.com/Art/690076/167/Why-The-Services-Of-A-Bankruptcy-Attorney-Vancouver-WA-Is-Necessary.html

Free Online Articles Directory- Unique Self Publishing Articles-Article Directory | Why The Services Of A Bankruptcy Attorney Vancouver WA Is Necessary

Why The Services Of A Bankruptcy Attorney Vancouver WA Is Necessary

By: Tracy Narvaez

Severe financial difficulties are ranked as one of the biggest stressors in this modern world. Many businesses and individuals that fall foul of international trends over which they have no control feel helpless. When financial disaster strikes, it is best to obtain professional help as quickly as possible. A bankruptcy attorney Vancouver WA may even be able to help avert total disaster by steering clients towards solutions that avoid insolvency.

When individuals have no other recourse they often think that an application for insolvency will solve their problems and help them to start with a clean slate. This is definitely not the case. The procedures are lengthy and complex. The courts need to determine that the applicant is not simply trying to avoid his financial responsibilities and that he has no immediate prospects of fulfilling his obligations.

Once the courts grant an application, several things happen very quickly. In the case of businesses, all trading ceases immediately and the employees are retrenched. Assets of both individuals and businesses are seized and preserved for sale. The court will appoint a trustee, whose task it is to see that the entire matter is brought to a conclusion as soon as possible.

Applications by businesspeople may have far reaching effects for many others. Employees are likely to lose their jobs and creditors will have to wait for their money. The trustee normally cause the business to stop trading immediately, but a different decision may be made if it is in the interest of the creditors. In all events, any moneys earned will be administered by the court.

Courts have to act to protect those that stand to lose when insolvency is granted. For this reason detailed studies of the finances of the applicant is made. A common means test is applied to ascertain whether the applicant will not perhaps be able to pay his debts, even if under supervision of the court and by means of newly defined contracts with creditors.

The laws and the courts expect applicants to give their full cooperation in all matters pertaining to the matter. Documents and records will be required and explanations may be necessary. Applicants are required to be one hundred percent honest and a transgression or any form of dishonesty can be punished and brought to trial. It is best to follow the advice received from the lawyer to the letter.

It would be extremely unwise to attempt this route without the help of a professional lawyer with extensive experience in this branch of the law. In many cases it is possible to seek alternatives to insolvency, but only if those in trouble confide in their legal representatives. There are alternatives, such as an administration order, that is advantageous to all parties concerned.

Those experiencing financial problems beyond their control should waste no time in obtaining the services of a bankruptcy attorney Vancouver WA. The stress inherent to such circumstances often drives people to make the wrong decision and to cause themselves even more harm.

Author Resource:-> You can a review of the benefits of hiring a bankruptcy attorney Vancouver WA and information about a reliable lawyer at http://www.baxterlaw.com now.

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In Nev., Solid Showing Expected For Romney

blogger — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 20:00:00 +0000

Nevada holds its Republican caucuses today it is the first Western state to weigh in on the nominating contest. NPR's Ari Shapiro reports that Mitt Romney is widely favored to win and has the latest from Nevada.

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Clark County at Work: Venice Genoa Stone & Tile

blogger — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Business name: Venice Genoa Stone & Tile.